January is National Tea Month

For John, BLUF:  Who knew?  As for tea, for some of us it is the needed substitute for Coffee, and thank God for it.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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State of the U.S. Tea Industry:  Review of 2019 and Look Forward for 2020

From The Tea Association of the USA, by Mr Peter F. Goggi Tea, 21 May 2020.

Here is the lede plus three:

2019 was a year that started with such optimism converting quickly to dogged determination as a combination of events turned it into as challenging year as we’ve had in recent memories.

The imposition of tariffs on tea by the Trump Administration was not a welcome event. Despite testimony being given to the Federal Trade Representative in D.C., by myself and several other members of the trade, the tariffs were imposed. While the initial proposal was 25% on tea from China, this was eventually imposed at the 15% level. At the time of this writing, the tariffs on Chinese Tea have been reduced to 7 1⁄2%.

Our efforts to increase the number of tea tolerances continued in 2019 with an additional 7 new tolerances established by EPA. Our work in D.C. continued with the Tea Association speaking on behalf of the industry in the areas of Standards of Identity, definition of “Natural” and Dietary Guidelines.

Other topics in which we acted on behalf of the industry were: esophageal cancer; Heavy Metals (lead particularly); Country of Origin Labeling; HTIS classifications; Prop 65 and Nano-plastics. In fact, the Nano-plastic issue is still in play and we are working with the Tea & Herbal Association of Canada and the UK Tea & Infusions Association in this area.

Ah, the job of the Trade Association is never done.  It looks like the areas covered were quite broad.  I suspect a Trade Association is an important source of outreach to Congress and to reulatory agencies.

The good news is there is tea.  My wife is brewing my third cup of the day, even as I type.

Hat tip to the US Census Bureau.

Regards  —  Cliff